Welcome to RockSquawk.com, magical web portal to Albuquerque’s local music scene. Come here to find out when local shows are happening, post your own shows, look for a new band member, discuss your amp, trade equipment or
gossip with other musicians.
Anyone can participate.To request a forum for your music project, post the name in the Rules and How to Join forum under "New Forum/Mod Rights Requests"
One of most exciting opportunities afforded me by working as the Alibi music editor is soliciting work from writers/artists whose work I deeply admire. Sure, I would have gotten a kick out of chatting with Billy Bragg, but I know someone with a deeper connection to him. That someone is Tannex midwife, ABQ Zine Fest founder, sound artist and storyteller Marya Errin Jones. Read her poignant essay on him, Bragging Rites, to see what I mean. Check out B.B. A/V below. KiMo Theatre • Billy Bragg • Kim Churchill • Sun Mar 24 • 7:30 pm • $26-$35 • ALL-AGES! • kimotickets.com
There are more boss concerts coming up than you can shake a stick at. We took a stab at it anyway. But what about the stuff there just wasn't enough dead tree space to explore? Of primary importance is the 42nd Annual John Donald Robb Composers' Symposium, which happens Sunday, March 24, through Wednesday, March 27. Celebrating the centenary of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, special guest composers and performers include wireless controller-obsessed Duo X, Italian pianist Emanuele Arciuli and local Sunday favorites Chatter, and they're demoing Robb's Moog Synthesizer this year. For the full schedule, visit the trust's site: robbtrust.org
But experimental and classical composition isn't all our fair city has on offer this week. Whether you're into hip-hop, horrorcore, pornocore, strings, Zimbabwean spirituals or songs written by women, Music to Your Ears has you covered. Peep related A/V below. Sister • Kool Keith • Fri Mar 22 • 10 pm • $16 • 21+ • sisterthebar.com
DJ, DIY promoter and music writer Derek Caterwaul joins live music fanatic Mike Smith in providing Alibi readers with 505 music scene reportage. Between these two cats, our readers are getting the best that Albuquerque music journalism has to offer. Read all about it in the inaugural mega-installment of MAXIMUMCATERWAUL. Scope related A/V below.
The Lord Dog Bird - "The Gift of Song in the Lion's Den"
Caethua - "Sons of the Hounds"
James Kalm on Brion Gysin's Dream Machine exhibit at the New Museum
Yours truly listened to the forthcoming full-length from The Haxan Cloak, the debut of Chelsea Light Moving (Thurston Moore's new vehicle) and the long-awaited solo debut of Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr. Learn what thrilled and what bored me in this week's Sonic Reducer. Peep related A/V below.
The Haxan Cloak - "The Mirror Reflecting (Part 2)"
If y'all missed last night's sets by Maserati (at Sister) and Sad Baby Wolf (at Launchpad), don't fret, 'cause there's a whole lot more SXABQ goodness from whence that came. Tonight, The After After Show with Steven Michael Quezada house band/alt.soul outfit The James Douglas Show plays itself over Tejas way at Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW), along with Lovers & Madmen, Christopher Leyva's Falling Doves, A House for Lions and Jack Littman. Sunday night finds Parenthetical Girls, Decker, Field Tripp, PALMS, Jared & the Mill and Red Light Cameras bringing the fest feel to Low Spirits. For those who find themselves in a midweek slump, Fort Hobo and Roñoso host Seattle powerviolence duo Iron Lung at Synchro Studio (512-B Yale SE) on Wednesday. Scope the deets in this week's Music to Your Ears. Peep relevant A/V below. Low Spirits • The James Douglas Show • Lovers & Madmen • Christopher Leyva's Falling Doves • A House for Lions • Jack Littman • Sat March 9 • 8 pm • $10 • 21+ • lowspiritslive.com
Whatever your aural mood, there's bound to be a show happening—on this night in this town—that'll suit your fancy. If you need a refresher on tonight's hybrid instrument smorgasbord, aka A Cabinet of Curiosities, at The Kosmos, peep A Cure for Stockhausen Syndrome and/or this blog. If you're frustrated by the inherent limitations of dead tree space, check out an up-to-the-minute Saturday night show list below. Rock on, y'all.
• Arkansan swampy-folk soul/songwriter Adam Faucett emotes tonight at an all-ages show at The Glitter Factory (2127 Silver SE), along with Carlosaur and The Alchemists. 7 p.m. $5.
• Pay tribute to inimitable local musician Eric Johnson's life by raising money for Casa Esperanza at The Texas Independence Day Party, happening tonight at the Albuquerque Press Club (201 Highland Park Circle). Consume armadillo eggs and Lone Stars while Big Sad Guy, Edith Grove, The Handsome Family, Next Three Miles, Saltine Ramblers, Wildewood, Double Plow, The Jake Leg Three and The Old Main tickle your ears pink. 4 p.m.'til 1 a.m. $25 per person, or $40 a couple. For more info, click.
• Roc the Mic 13—which Alibi columnist Mike Smith wrote about in this week's installment of Last Month in Music—goes down tonight at Evolution Nightclub (6132 Fourth Street NW). 8 p.m. Learn more here.
• Move your body to Gavin Russom's EDM orchestra The Crystal Ark and Rand Larzeny at Sister (409 Central NW) this evening. 9 p.m. 21+. $10. Get tickets here.
• Desert surf purveyor Phantom Lake soundtracks The Mask of the Red Death Masquerade Ball at ArtBar (119 Gold SW) tonight. 9 p.m. 21+. $10.
• Santa Fe-based singer/songwriter (and, yes, former Angry Samoan) Gregg Turner performs at No Fun Dance Party tonight at Blackbird Buvette (509 Central NW). Satellite Sky and DJs Bea and Ms. Stoche spin garage, soul and rock and roll. 10 p.m. 21+. No cover.
GMOs are supposed to freak you out, but hybrid instruments merely demonstrate artists' unwillingness to be restrained by the musical status quo. In this week's music feature, A Cure for Stockhausen Syndrome, DJ/DIY mainstay/music writer Derek Caterwaul brings us up to speed on Manny Rettinger's chuppers, hybrid musical instruments that each boast not only their own ambiance, but even individual personalities. As Caterwaul notes, attending Cabinet of Curiosities on Saturday may give you a whole new set of ears. Scope related A/V below. The Kosmos • A Cabinet of Curiosities • UBIK Sound • Carmina Escobar • Marisa Demarco • Monica Demarco • Drake Hardin • Martian Funk • Sat March 2 • 7:30 pm • $7 • ALL-AGES!
Electric Ensemble & the Chuppers - The Chuppers UBIK Sessions
There's a strong musical connection between Burque and Denver. From Denver "ladyz"-centric music/art/performance fest Titwrench to local solo outsider ladyfest Gatas y Vatas, there's a lot of crossover love. The Meat Heart recital at Synchro Studio (512-B Yale SE) showcases the Denque (did I just coin that?) bond with performances by Denver-based poof-punk trio The Matildas and avant-garage/slop-pop outfit Pacific Pride and local prankster duo The Jeebies (real-life couple Clifford Grindstaff and former Alibi editor Marisa Demarco), supergroup Fando and solo experimental persona Lady Fox (Mauro Woody). Peep the 411 on the Meat Heart concert, hip-hop and klezmer fests and two terrific music docs (Beware of Mr. Baker and Ornette: Made in America) in this week's Music to Your Ears. Check out related A/V below. Synchro Studio • Meat Heart • The Matildas • Pacific Pride • The Jeebies • Lady Fox • Fando • Thurs Feb 14 • 8 pm • $7 • ALL-AGES!
I'm a notorious recluse/hermit. I imagine myself as a postmodern Emily Dickinson—Gchat and Facebook message as letter, yo—but, as yet, I'm nowhere near the writer she was and probably more closely resemble late-stage Howard Hughes. As an introvert, one of the things I dig the most about social networking is the ability to share in the lives and experiences of artists I admire. I never thought I'd be able to tell Ann Magnuson that "Folk Song" will always be in my sonic top ten.
Another rad artist I "know" via Facebook is Emil Amos. When I heard Lilacs & Champagne, my mind was blown. I messaged him to that effect and he kindly requested my friendship. Amos, of Om, Grails and Holy Sons, is extremely talented and hella gracious, and I'm psyched to high-five him this evening. Transcendent drone-metal duo Om performs tonight at Sister (409 Central NW), along with guitar virtuoso Sir Richard Bishop and Jeremy Barnes. I'll see you there. Read all about Bishop in Siring Superlative Sound. Check out related A/V below. Sister • Om • Sir Richard Bishop • Jeremy Barnes • Thurs Feb 14 • 10 pm • $10-13 • 21+ • sisterthebar.com
Morrissey's doctor has ordered him to rest a spell during treatment for a bleeding ulcer and Barrett’s esophagus. So, the Pope of Mope's Tricky Falls gig is once again being rescheduled. Heaven knows super-fans are miserable now, so send some not happy/not sad recuperative vibes to Moz. I am reassured, 'cause weird old Wilde is on his side.
On the bright side, that frees up our collective schedule to catch Queens, New York duo Blues Control on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Small Engine Gallery (1413 Fourth Street SW), along with Fando and Fort Hobo. On Sunday, Feb. 10, get your alt.country/gothabilly and gonzo-roots fix at Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW) with Slim Cessna's Auto Club and The Imperial Rooster. Be a battle participant/voyeur on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Desert Banditz' Mic Club 7 at Launchpad (618 Central SW). Peruse the deets in this week's Music to Your Ears. Check out A/V from featured acts below. Small Engine Gallery • Blues Control • Fando • Fort Hobo • Tues Feb 12 • 9 pm • $5 • ALL-AGES! • smallenginegallery.com
Blues Control - "Opium Den / Fade to Blue"
Blues Control - "Love's a Rondo"
Breakfast with Fando
Fort Hobo - Power Wulf
Slim Cessna's Auto Club - "Last Song About Satan"
The Imperial Rooster - "Khorn Sirrup Sundae (K.S.S.)"
